Clock's Running Out For Davis Seat

November 29, 2000|By HOLLY ROBERSON Daily Press

YORK — Time has become a critical issue in the race for the 96th House seat.

With a heavily contested Republican primary over, only three weeks remain until the Dec. 19 special election to fill Jo Ann Davis' seat. She was elected to Congress in the Nov. 7 general election and the General Assembly convenes in January.

"There's obviously going to be a lot of things crunched and compacted," said Tom Coleman, campaign manager for Republican candidate Melanie Rapp.

Calendars on both sides are packed full and candidates are hard to catch these days.

Facing off against Rapp, a York County supervisor, is political newcomer Patrick Pettitt, 35, an attorney, and the only Democrat who filed to run.

Special elections historically have lower turnouts, another obstacle for candidates. But in this election that may not necessarily be the case, said Jim Funk, chairman of the 96th House District Republican Committee. In the GOP primary, 1,860 people turned out. The presidential fracas may have had something to do with it, he said.

"Voters realize their vote counts," Funk said.

Pettitt's campaign manager, Stuart Cox, said the only solution to the time constraints this election presents is tireless campaigning.

"We're working hard and doing the very best we can," he said, as he answered a call for Pettitt this week, who was on another line.

"We're going to get our name out there."

Speaking of names, the recognition of Rapp's is something Democrats have to consider.

But it isn't an unbeatable obstacle, Cox said.

"By the time of Election Day, we hope people will know us as well as they do Melanie Rapp."

Rapp, 36, who has been a supervisor for only a year, was probably helped considerably by her York County name recognition in the Nov. 17, GOP primary, said Steve Palmer, commonwealth's attorney and Republican Party chairman in King William County. Rapp beat former York Supervisor Paul Garman by only 102 votes.

Rapp, who lives in the Tabb section of York County - the population stronghold of the 96th District - said she thinks she won because of her positive backing.

"I have people who know me," she said, "and believe in the conservative principles I do."

Cox explained Pettitt's strategy this week as a barrage of advertising and getting out among the people.

"I've been out door to door," Pettitt said, "and to shopping malls."

Coleman was a little more cagey this week about Rapp's campaign strategy for this special election.

Saying anything could mean, "Patrick Pettitt will read it in the newspaper tomorrow," Coleman said laughing.

While Rapp had a sound turnout in York County during the GOP primary, 508 votes, she lost the other three counties in the 96th District to political newcomer, Chris Pickford from Gloucester.

The 96th House District includes all of King and Queen and King William counties and portions of York and Gloucester counties. However, York County has 25,269 registered voters in the 10 precincts in the 96th District. The registered voters in the other three counties combined total about 20,000. Gloucester County Registrar Carol Sekula was only able to provide an estimate of registered voters because one of her precincts in the 96th District is split.

Bill Rilee, chairman of the Republican Party in King and Queen County said the lower numbers are obviously a disadvantage.

"The rural counties don't have the vote anymore," he said. "We're just tag-alongs."

Coleman said he didn't think Rapp did poorly in the other three counties.

"It was that Chris Pickford did so well."

Cox said Pettitt won't concentrate on the counties Rapp lost in the GOP primary, nor necessarily in York where she obviously has a strong following.

Pettitt's assets, Cox said, are his personality and his passion for the issues. Cox said they are counting on those attributes in the Republican-leaning district. Hopefully after meeting and listening to Pettitt, Cox said people, "even the staunchest Republicans will say, 'Hey you've got my vote.'"

Coleman said Rapp plans to spread her campaigning among the entire district as well.

"I don't think it's possible to win this election," he said, "with just York County."

Holly Roberson can be reached at 247-4736 or by e-mail at hroberson@dailypress.com